{"id":24328,"date":"2019-09-06T11:59:03","date_gmt":"2019-09-06T03:59:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zegal.com\/?p=24328"},"modified":"2024-01-12T09:42:25","modified_gmt":"2024-01-12T01:42:25","slug":"the-legal-differences-between-a-full-time-and-part-time-employee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zegal.com\/en-gb\/blog\/post\/the-legal-differences-between-a-full-time-and-part-time-employee\/","title":{"rendered":"Full Time vs Part Time, What are the Legal Differences?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"part<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

As a business owner, it is imperative to<\/span> understand the difference between full-time vs part-time employment<\/b> in order to <\/span>comply with the associated laws<\/b>. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The number of weekly work hours is the most relevant aspect to categorise this. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In many jurisdictions, there isn’t an official definition of a part-time worker, other than that a part-time worker works fewer hours than full-time. In fact,<\/span> it is up to employers<\/strong> to define the exact number of hours a full-time employee is required to work on a weekly basis in their company. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For fairness and transparency, the part-time vs full-time should be outlined in the Employee Handbook<\/a> and\/or Policies as employee status affects other employment conditions (i.e. pay, vacation, benefits, etc.).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, if the company staff includes part-time employees, an employer should draft a Flexible Working Policy<\/a> where they state specific flexible working arrangements. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally speaking, full-time employees receive health benefits and salaried pay. Part-time employees are usually billed hourly and are not legally entitled to standard benefits. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the list of differences and legal requirements is much more detailed. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Laws and regulations on full-time and part-time employment differ from one country to another. <\/b>For instance, if you are running a company in Singapore and wish to hire an employee who is not covered by the Employment Act of Singapore, you are required to draft an <\/span>Employment Contract (Senior Executive)<\/span><\/a>, which is not always the case in other cities and countries. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below you will find some of the general definitions of full-time and part-time employment regarding the number of work hours, benefits, and payment methods.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Work Hours<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It is up to employers to define the exact number of hours a full-time employee is required to work every week. But, the following examples in different countries shows that in most jurisdictions a 35-40 hours a week would be considered a full-time employment.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the United Kingdom<\/strong>, a full-time worker usually works at least 35 hours a week. Furthermore, the rights of part-time workers are legally protected by the Part-time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Australia<\/strong>, the <\/span>Fair Work Act 2009<\/span><\/a> classifies employment into full-time and part-time based on the number of hours an employee works a week. Full-time entails 38 work hours while part-time is anything less. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the United States<\/strong>, traditionally, 40 hours a week has been considered as “full-time” employment. But the  <\/span>U.S. Department of Labor<\/span><\/a> does not state that full time workers are obliged to complete a 40-hour week and there are many current instances in which the hours required to be considered full-time have been lowered. The Bureau of Labor Statistics defines full-time as 35 or more hours a week, but this is just for statistical purposes and is not law. In addition, pursuant to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a full-time employee is, for a calendar month, an employee employed on average at least 30 hours of service per week, or 130 hours of service per month.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pay<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Another distinction between part-time and full-time employees is that they may be paid differently, salaried vs. hourly. Some full-time employees may be salaried while employees working part-time are paid on an hourly basis. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Payment of overtime can also be different depending on the type of employment agreement.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the United Kingdom<\/strong> for instance, legally, the employer must provide equal pay for equal work. The hourly rate for part-time and full-time workers doing the same work should be the same. However, employees working part-time may not be entitled to the same overtime rate as a full-time worker. This wouldn’t kick in until they have worked the same number of hours that a full-time employee would be required to work before getting the overtime rate.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Full time employees typically receive more benefits than part-time employees. For instance, full-time employees may be entitled to the the following exclusive benefits:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n